Fermented Pomegranate and Beetroot Extract Outperforms Ketoconazole Against Dandruff Fungus in Lab Tests

A fermented blend of pomegranate and beetroot has shown antifungal activity against the dandruff-causing fungus Malassezia furfur that rivals, and in some laboratory tests exceeds, the performance of the synthetic antifungal agents ketoconazole and zinc pyrithione. The formulation, developed by researchers at Breww Therapeutics in Mohali, India, and patented under Indian Patent No. 459674, is described in a study published in Frontiers in Industrial Microbiology. The work offers a glimpse of how fermentation biotechnology, long used in food and beverage production, could reshape the market for anti-dandruff hair care products.

Dandruff and related scalp disorders remain among the most common dermatological complaints worldwide, and the yeast-like fungus Malassezia furfur is a principal culprit. Conventional treatments rely on antifungal actives such as ketoconazole, climbazole, and zinc pyrithione, which are typically incorporated into shampoos and lotions to suppress fungal overgrowth and reduce flaking. While effective for many users, these synthetic agents can cause dryness, irritation, and scalp sensitivity with repeated use, and concerns about their long-term impact on the scalp microbiome have grown in recent years. Consumer demand for gentler, plant-derived alternatives has risen sharply, fueling a global anti-dandruff market projected to grow at a compound annual rate exceeding 5 percent between 2024 and 2033.

Previous attempts to harness botanical extracts for scalp care have faced significant hurdles. Plant-derived actives often suffer from poor stability, limited bioavailability, and rapid degradation, which diminish their therapeutic value in finished products. Advanced extraction techniques such as supercritical fluid extraction and microwave-assisted extraction can improve yield and purity but add cost and complexity. Fermentation offers an alternative route: microbial metabolism can break down complex plant matrices, release bound phenolic compounds, and generate new metabolites with enhanced biological activity. Fermented ingredients such as yeast filtrates and probiotic-derived compounds have already gained traction in commercial skin and hair care lines, and the fermented cosmetics segment has grown at an estimated rate of 8 to 10 percent annually in recent years.

The research team, led by scientists at Breww Therapeutics, prepared three different substrate combinations from locally sourced fruits and vegetables. The first combined pomegranate and beetroot in equal proportions, the second combined banana and papaya, and the third mixed all four ingredients together. Each mixture was fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the same yeast species used in baking and brewing, under controlled aerobic conditions at 35 degrees Celsius and neutral pH for 72 hours. After fermentation, the mixtures were filtered to yield clear extracts that were then tested for antifungal activity and incorporated into water-based formulations using standard cosmetic excipients including propylene glycol, glycerin, and hydroxyethylcellulose.

Antifungal susceptibility testing against Malassezia furfur MTCC 1374, a standard reference strain, revealed striking differences among the three fermented extracts. The pomegranate-beetroot combination demonstrated the strongest activity, achieving a zone of inhibition of 28 millimeters and a percentage inhibition of 96 percent, substantially outperforming both the banana-papaya blend and the four-ingredient mixture. When compared directly against commercial anti-dandruff products available in the Indian market, the pomegranate-beetroot fermented extract surpassed a 2 percent ketoconazole lotion and a combination ketoconazole and zinc pyrithione product in raw antifungal potency under the same assay conditions.

Minimum inhibitory concentration testing further confirmed the potency of the fermented formulation. The MIC90, the concentration required to inhibit 90 percent of fungal growth, was determined to be 20 milligrams per milliliter, at which point the formulation achieved 92 percent inhibition compared to the ketoconazole reference. Time-kill assays demonstrated that the formulation significantly reduced fungal viability within 48 hours, with measurable suppression of growth beginning as early as 6 hours after exposure. The researchers attribute this activity to the synergistic action of multiple bioactive metabolites generated during fermentation, including gallic acid, ellagic acid, and other phenolic compounds known to disrupt fungal cell membrane integrity.

The mechanism of action appears to involve disruption of the fungal cell wall and membrane, leading to leakage of intracellular contents and eventual cell death. Phenolic compounds such as gallic acid are well documented for their ability to intercalate into lipid bilayers and compromise membrane permeability in fungal organisms. Fermentation likely increased the concentration and bioavailability of these compounds by converting glycosylated precursors in the raw plant material into their free, active aglycone forms. The beetroot component contributes betalains, a class of nitrogen-containing pigments with documented antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, which may act synergistically with the pomegranate-derived polyphenols.

Beyond the laboratory assays, the researchers conducted a preliminary consumer evaluation involving participants with mild to moderate dandruff who applied the formulation over a two-week period. Self-reported outcomes indicated noticeable reductions in flaking, itching, and scalp irritation within the first week of use. Sensory evaluation rated the product favorably for fragrance, texture, and ease of application. While the consumer panel was small and the assessment period short, the results provide preliminary evidence that the antifungal activity observed in vitro translates to visible clinical benefit, though the authors acknowledge that larger, randomized, controlled trials will be necessary to confirm efficacy and establish regulatory-grade evidence.

The study’s authors emphasize that FERMENZA represents a novel integration of food-grade fermentation technology with cosmeceutical development. Unlike solvent-based extraction methods that may leave residual chemical traces, fermentation uses water, benign microorganisms, and natural substrates, aligning with clean-label and sustainability trends in personal care. The use of Generally Recognized as Safe excipients and a GRAS-status yeast organism further supports the formulation’s safety profile. The researchers also note that the mixed-substrate approach, combining multiple botanical sources in a single fermentation, is relatively unexplored in the anti-dandruff literature and may represent a generalizable strategy for enhancing the potency of plant-derived actives.

Looking ahead, the research team plans to conduct expanded clinical studies to validate the formulation’s efficacy across diverse populations and scalp conditions, to isolate and characterize the specific metabolites responsible for antifungal activity, and to explore the potential of similar fermentation strategies for other dermatological applications. The work also raises broader questions about the role of microbial biotransformation in unlocking the therapeutic potential of underutilized agricultural byproducts. If subsequent trials confirm the preliminary findings, fermented botanical formulations like FERMENZA could offer dermatologists and consumers a scientifically validated, naturally derived alternative to conventional antifungal scalp treatments, bridging the gap between traditional fermentation practices and modern evidence-based cosmeceutical science.

Subject of Research: Fermentation-derived botanical antifungal formulation for dandruff treatment

Article Title: FERMENZA®: a patented natural alternative to ketoconazole and zinc pyrithione for managing dandruff and scalp disorders

Article References: Ghosh, S., & Bhattacharya, M. (2026). FERMENZA®: a patented natural alternative to ketoconazole and zinc pyrithione for managing dandruff and scalp disorders. Frontiers in Industrial Microbiology, 4, Article 1811171. https://doi.org/10.3389/finmi.2026.1811171

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.3389/finmi.2026.1811171

Keywords: dandruff, Malassezia furfur, fermentation, pomegranate, beetroot, ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione, antifungal, cosmeceuticals, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, gallic acid, scalp care